“Con gran razón, a tu valor inmenso, consagran mil deidades sus labores”: the Epístola de Amarilis a Belardo as defense speech of Lope de Vega's work

Abstract

Between 1617 and 1621, Lope de Vega's fame was undeniable; however, this is the period of the most virulent attacks against the Fénix de los Ingenios. For this reason, Lope prepared a miscellaneous volume: La Filomena y otras diversas rimas whose themes served him to construct a discourse in defence of his work against its many detractors. The inclusion of the Epístola de Amarilis a Belardo in this volume helps him specially to show that his work is appreciated even in the confines of the Spanish Empire.